A Brand New Label

Objective enhance collection Label!

Label (Green Indicates changes/additions)
A wheat weaving,called a "Mordiford".The term mordiford refers to ultimate shape of the woven wheat. The stalks of the plant are soaked in water until they are pliable. After soaking the stalks they are plaited into a heart shape with the seed ends fraying out at the end.# In this particular example the,  wheat hangs at the bottom, above wheat stems are woven together into a heart. Green plaid bow and dried flowers are attached in the center. Wheat weaving originated as a celebration of the Harvest. In the sixteenth century, the English wove the crop to represent the spirit of Harvest Time. The use of straw  as a material was wonderful for baskets, hats and other forms of storage or decorative pieces. From the seventeenth century forward, it became a homemade industry that provided families with income and employed thousands outside of the home.  By the nineteenth century the crop token had become commonalty throughout Europe. The skill of weaving straw and wheat was a skill that European families brought with them too America. However with the advent of modern industry and machinery the use and knowledge of this craft became virtually non-existent. Arts and crafts revivals throughout the mid twentieth century however brought this talented skill back to life.#  Today to protect the wheat weaving craft is the National Association of Wheat Weavers or the NAWW. Founded in 1987 the objective of this organization is to “educate, develop, all forms of straw artistry, and to Preserve and perpetuate the history and traditions associated with the folk art of corn dollies, wheat plaiting (also known as wheat weaving) and other forms of straw art.”#. This particular piece was made by artists and donors, Ingrid Jonsson a graduate of Michigan State University, class of 1967# and May-Britt Eklov. It measures 10" x 7". Made in Michigan. Swedish.

• Diane, Sister. "Made Me a Mordiford!" CraftyPod. Wordpress, 27 June 2008. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.craftypod.com/2008/06/27/made-me-a-mordiford/>.
• About Straw Art." The National Association of Wheat Weavers. NAWW, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://nawwstraw.org/index.php/about-straw-art>.
• "About the National Association of Wheat Weavers." National Association of Wheat Weavers. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://nawwstraw.org/index.php/about-naww>.
• "Ingrid Jonsson." Classmates. N.p., n.d. Web. <Classmates.com>.

Michigan Woven Wheat

I found this woven piece of art within the Michigan State University Museum’s Collection. I decided to choose this beautiful agricultural work because it made me stop in my tracks while I was scrolling through the hundreds of catalogued items. The assignment was to choose a piece that resonated or related to myself. To me, this piece made me think about the connections I have to my home state, university, and the sorority that shaped me in my time at the aforementioned school.
This woven artwork is made in Michigan from a crop that is also grown frequently throughout the state. Being born in southeastern Michigan, there were not many wheat fields to be found within walking distance. However every summer from the time that I was eight years old was spent out near the thumb among the farm fields of the grains that were to be harvested in the following fall.
Continuing into my college years I chose a University long known for its prestige in Agricultural Studies. Although I did not choose to follow that path in my educational path, I still have the deepest respect for those who do. The woven wheat heart, made me stop to think about the people I have met here at Michigan State and how the university itself has shaped me since I began my education here. Without the history of the Agricultural program here at MSU, there would be no school and I would not be the same person that I am today. Everything happens for a reason.
Lastly the sorority that I joined in the first weeks that I found myself at MSU holds dear the symbol of the sheaf of wheat. The many strands of wheat coming together to make a one big bundle. Here the wheat is intertwined together into a heart-shape. As corny as it may seem this heart made me think of the love I have for the house that helped me to become the leader that I am today.
Museum Collections and exhibitions can inspire us and help us remember the great things in our lives. They are not merely just a home for musty items that have no meaning. Find out more about your self, history and the world around you at a Museum near you.

Briefly on Exhibitions: From Labels to Layout

When walking through an exhibition the first thing some one looks at is the objects that are being displayed. Maybe its the first thing that catches your eye, or maybe its the very center of the exhibit, but you may never know what exactly you are looking at without the help of the kindly placed label that sits closely to that eye catching piece. The exhibit flows easily through a well thought out security plan that allows patrons to easily view objects in an innovative environment

Many details come together in attribute to an exhibition's success. From the smallest of details, such as how to identify the exhibits objects to the marketing of the exhibit to the general public.  Labels are always as valuable as the object or work of art that they accompany. Without them a Museum Patron may never understand the importance of the object and why it was chosen to be exhibited. A good label is clear and concise, informative and interesting, and be accessible to large range of audiences.

However there would be nothing to label without the objects themselves and their displays. The production should set the overall tone of the exhibit. Lighting, flow patterns and creative ways of displays will make sure to give the patrons the mood of the exhibit.

A good marketing plan will not only make the community know about the new exhibition but also make them want to take the time to come see it. With out knowledge of its existence, there will be no patrons however you also have to make them interested in coming to see it.

Museum exhibitions are the thoughts and ideas of many coming together to create a cohesive display that interests and even thrills its visitors. There not only one good way to create an exhibit but the basics will help to create wonderful exhibition that keeps the community and tourists coming back for more.



Cited

"National Association for Museum Exhibition." NAME: National Association for Museum Exhibition. American Association of Museums, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. <http://name-aam.org/about/who-we-are/standards>.

"Serrell & Associates :: Museum Consultants." Serrell & Associates :: Museum Consultants. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. <http://www.serrellassociates.org/labelwriting.html>.

The Museum Professional Standards of Excellence

For any profession there must exist at some time, a set of rules or guidelines pertaining to the carrying out of the said profession. The same must be for those wishing to be part the vocation that finds themselves within the museum. But who are these people that make up the Standards of Excellence that all Museum Professionals must be trained under and preform to their utmost ability?
      The Committee on Museum Professional Training is the answer. This is the document that sets down the guide lines in which all museums should aspire to meet.
       The Committee on Museum Professional Training has developed this document to serve many purposes:

• Function as guidelines for members of the community of museum professional educators, learners, and professionals in the field.

• Recognize common responsibilities and objectives.

• Identify appropriate content, teaching methodologies, measures for outcomes and assessment.

• Be adaptable to a variety of learning programs.

From these ideas, The ICTOP Curricula Guidelines for Museum Development, breaks the down the five areas in which a museum needs to adhere to in order to function efficiently and successfully. This is displayed in a wonderful informative image of a tree. 

1. General Competencies being the key figures or the roots of the tree symbolize the very basics of professionalism general knowledge of the work environment and the museum as a workplace.
2. Museology Competencies involves knowledge of and skills in the application of the intellectual foundations of museum work
3. Management Competencies knowledge of and skills in the theory and practice of museum operations. Basically what it takes to run the museum not only from educational point of view but also as a business and as a credible community source. 
4. Public programming competencies, knowledge of and skills in serving the museum's communities. How to make the Museum a place that the community will feel apart of and take interest in. This goes past the tourism aspect of it and into making the Museum place for the community in which it is placed. 
5. Information and collections management and care competencies. having the knowledge of and skills in creating, preserving and sharing museum resources. How to affectively have an impact on the visitors and create a museum exhibit that will engage vistors and have a fun learning environment.

Cited Works

"Committee on Museum Professional Training." Committee on Museum Professional Training. The American Alliance of Museums, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2012. <http://www.compt-aam.org/resources/standardsguidelines.html>.

"ICTOP Museum Career Development Tree." ICTOP Museum Career Development Tree. Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, 29 Aug. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2012. <http://museumstudies.si.edu/ICOM-ICTOP/index.htm>.